“Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar”
“Mera Piya Gaye Rangoon”
“Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat Aajamakar”
“Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jaali Da”
“Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re”
“Kahin Pe Nigahein Kahin Pe Nishana”
“Haye Ni Mera Balam,Hai bada jaalam”
“Batti Baal Ke Banere Utte”
“Teri Kanak Di Rakhi”
The magical voice behind these evergreen songs belonged to Shamshad Begum and is still living through her popular songs.
Born in 1919, Shamshad Begum was one of the first playback Singers of Indian Film Industry who got huge popularity before the arrival of Noorjahan and Mangeshkar Sisters.
The young Shamshad Begum did not take any formal training in music,but was fond of singing.It was her school teacher who discovered her talent and made her head singer for school’s morning prayers.Born in to conservative Muslim Jatt Family of Lahore,it was impossible for her to pursue a career as singer.
But it was her uncle who gave wings to her dreams.He took her to an audition of Lahore based music company Jenophone.She was selected as singer for the company,but much to the dismay of her father.
He later gave her permission for singing on some conditions that she will sing in the Burqa and would not allow herself to be photographed.
While she continued to sing for Jenophone Music Company.She also got the job at All India Radio Station as singer.
A Muslim girl from orthodox family had become singer,if it was not enough She went on to marry a Non Muslim Man Ganpat Lal Batto,Who was an advocate.
Her foraying in to Film Singing started with Punjabi Films like Yamla Jatt,Gawandhi etc.But the turning point was singing for Hindi Films.Film Director Mehboob Khan insisted on using only Shamshad Begum’s voice for his film songs.He went all the way to Lahore from Bombay only to sign Shamshad Begum for his film Taqdeer(1943) to playback for 13-14 year old Nargis,who was launched as Heroine with Taqdeer.Even though Shamshad Begum was provided a bunglaw,car & servant along with hefty sum for singing in Bombay.She soon went back to Lahore.But then many composers requested her to sing for them.So she promised to record songs for them.She went on to record for music directors down south & for Bengali films too.
After partition she moved to Bombay and sang for many films like Aag, Mela, Dulari, Babul, Bahar etc.Her husband passed away in the year 1955,It was big blow for her and she did not feel like continuing singing.It was Mehboob Khan who insisted her again to sing for his Film Mother India.It brought her back on the music scene.But her voice was not suitable for new age actresses beside that Shamshad Begum had also cut down on recordings as she was mostly traveling with her daughter Usha & Son In Law Yograj-an army officer.During that phase She was occasionally singing for some Films like Kismat’s Kajra Mohabbat Wala to some Punjabi Films.
Finally she took a retirement from Film Singing by mid 70s.
While film world had forgotten about her,a sudden demise of an another Shamshad Begum in 1998 brought her in the news.The another Shamshad Begum was Actress Saira Baby’s grandmother.Even though by mistake it brought Shamshad Begum in the news again.She was conferred with prestigious Padam Bhushan in the year 2009.She passed away in the year 2013 just few days after 94th birthday leaving behind many songs which are still popular till today.
Article : Gurwinder Lotey
